Mohammed A. Al Qahtani, a business systems analyst working for the Industrial Security Planning and Support Services Department in Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, who overcame significant speech difficulties as a child, became the first Saudi and first Aramcon to win the World Championship in Public Speaking in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the U.S. on Aug. 15.

Aramco Asia, through close coordination with the China Daily and the China Youth Development Foundation, recently implemented “Opening a Window to the World for Needy Ethnic Minority Children,” a youth program that brought 30 children from needy families in Yunnan province to Beijing.

Protecting the environment is an integral part of what we value here at Saudi Aramco, and to show our commitment to these efforts, the company recently hosted an interactive exhibit focusing on water conservation.

Saudi Aramco’s EXPEC Advanced Research Center (EXPEC ARC) solved a drilling challenge using date tree waste. EXPEC ARC examined the waste components of local date trees, such as seeds, leaves and trunks, and determined that they effectively seal rock formations in oil and gas wells while drilling, and prevent seepage.

Saudi state-run oil giant Aramco earlier this week appointed Huda Al-Ghosn as its executive director of employee relations and training, making her the first women to fill this position in the company’s history.

Eighteen employees were recently recognized during a 25 and 30 year service award ceremony held at the Plaza Conference Center in Dhahran. Huda M. Al-Ghoson, executive director of Human Resources, presided over the event.